Berhampur: The water level at the district’s largest Sorada water reservoir has been dipping to dangerous levels, thanks to lack of restoration by the authorities concerned, a report said.
Originally, the 127-year-old reservoir occupied an area of 3,000 hectares, but encroachments and siltation have reduced its water holding capacity. Locals blame land mafia and corrupt politicians for the water body’s plight.
Built by the British, mostly for agriculture purpose, the reservoir is used to provide drinking water to several towns in the district including Berhampur. The Silk City alone requires 54 million litres per day (mld) for over four lakh people.
Keeping in mind the rising population of Berhampur, the Dakhinapur water tank was constructed in 1903. Later, another one was built with both the tanks getting water from Sorada reservoir.
However, the reservoir has not been able to meet the water requirements of the city because it has to provide water to many villages for agricultural purposes. The kharif season alone requires around 2,400 cusecs of water. However, with the drastic decrease in water level, only 1,600 cusecs are being released. This drop in water supply is severely affecting crops, it was learnt.
Four years ago, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had laid the foundation stone for the Janibili-Dakhinpur water pipeline project with a budget of Rs 489 crore. However, with the reservoir drying up and the drinking water crisis looming large, a dip in water table has added to the farmers’ woes in the district. At least 60 per cent of agricultural activities have been hit in various parts of the district. If renovation is done even on a small sale, it would revive the water reservoir, local farmers believe.
They urged the government to take immediate measures to restore the water retaining capacity of the reservoir, before things go out of hand. PNN
